Among the smallest of ants, the yellow to brown colored Thief Ants measure from 1/32 to 1/16 inch long, with 10-segment antennae. Their tiny size make the Thief Ant very difficult to detect and, combined with their persistent nature, Thief Ants can be difficult to manage.

Thief Ants have a particularly unsavory diet, choosing to dine on other hatchling ants and insects, as well as greasy, high protein treats such as animal matter. An average queen will lay around 100 eggs, which incubate for up to 28 days. The larval stage for Thief Ants is a relatively short 21 days during the warm Summer months, and can last throughout an entire winter in colder weather.

Thief Ants will nest almost anywhere from under stones to cracks and cabinets.

Halt Bugology Factoid
Thief ants can spread by swarming through mating flights. Colonies may have multiple mating flights in a year. (Factoid Source: antinstitute.com)

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